Arduino is an open-source
physical computing platform based on a simple I/O board and a
development environment that implements the Processing/Wiring language.
Arduino can be used to develop stand-alone interactive objects or can
be connected to software on your computer. the open-source
IDE can be downloaded
for free (currently for Mac OS X, Windows, and Linux).

Arduino received an Honory Mention in the
Digital Communities section of the 2006 Ars Electronica Prix.

The FT232RL chip is
pre-soldered, eliminating the most difficult component to solder.
The rest of the components are easy to solder through-hole. We also switched from metal film 1% resistors to standard resistors for easier value reading for novice users.